The noose doesn’t always tighten

Dan McKinnon, a folk musician, said, “Be aware that a halo has to fall only a few inches to be a noose.”

But not all nooses work as intended. Sometimes, you can escape.

That is not a perfect analogy for this deal. North was nervous about bidding, but he lived to tell the tale.

After East passed, South opened three hearts, and West intervened with three spades, North was in a quandary. A jump to four no-trump would be fine if partner thought it was unusual, showing length in both minors. But he was much more likely to assume it was some ilk of Blackwood. North wondered about bidding four diamonds now and five clubs next, but decided to listen for a bit. When East raised to four spades, North bid four no-trump, which was clearly unusual.

South corrected to five clubs, and West doubled. What happened?

Often it is best to lead a trump against a high-level sacrifice — but not this time. After a club lead, South would win in his hand and discard dummy’s spade on the heart ace. Then, if continuing to wear his halo, he will lead his diamond and play low from the board when West covers with the jack. Since West does not have another trump to lead, declarer can ruff two diamonds in his hand and get home with an overtrick!

After the spade ace and a club shift, declarer must also lead the diamond ten and let West take the trick. Then East-West will wish they had bid five spades, which makes unless North leads a low club and receives a heart ruff.